Once in a Blue Moon

After recently seeing many bloggers crafting with stencils, I decided to revisit this technique to make a wedding card.  I bought this crane Dreamweaver brass stencil years ago and loved it because of the Escher-like design.  Working on watercolor paper I applied embossing stencil paste to the stencil that was taped onto the paper.  Once the stencil was filled and leveled, I pulled it off the paper.  I sprinkled the raised, wet design with transparent crystal embossing powder. After rinsing off the stencil (the paste will stain it), I applied heat to the crane design with a heat gun.  In a few minutes the embossing powder will melt and the paste will be dry.  Next I brushed watercolors over the raised design and let the paper dry.  Two inch square embossed gold papers (I used wrapping paper scraps) were used to make the folded the cranes.  Finally a punched out blue vellum circle and the cranes were attached to the stenciled paste embossed panel.

I decided I wanted a less colorful card for the wedding so I did a version 2.  This card was easier to do because it didn't involve the embossing paste.  I simply embossed the crane stencil onto a washi paper (with encased real leaves).  I used an embossing plate and embossing pad in my Big Shot to quickly achieve the look without tediously hand embossing.  Washi paper is very fibrous so to achieve the torn bottom edge I applied a little water (with a small paint brush) where I wanted the paper to tear.  Sorry, the photo of the second card doesn't clearly show the embossed cranes but IRL the subtle effect is lovely.  I'm not sure which version I like better, but I am pleased with the outcome of both cards.  What do you think?